Johnson: Tevez must stay at City

Tevez has once again been linked to a move away from Eastlands this summer, despite winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League next season. But Johnson is desperate for City's skipper to lead to stick by City heading into next campaign.

"He carries us sometimes with his goals and his drive," said Johnson. "He is probably the best player I have played with.

"Some of the goals and some of the stuff he does in training is just unbelievable. "Personally I hope we keep hold of him just like all the City fans do, because he will be a major part next season when we are playing in the Champions League.

"He would be hard to replace – there's probably only five or six strikers out there who get you that many goals a season at the highest level.

"We have one of them, so it would be great if we could keep him," he said.

The reality is that Tevez's future remains a mystery as the want-away skipper remains silent about his plans for next season.

"He does not really say much, he is quite quiet," Johnson said. "His English isn't too good. He keeps himself to himself mostly and does his talking on the pitch. That's what I like about him."

After a campaign that landed the club's first silverware in 35 years, Johnson believes City's cross-town rivals Manchester United are now within The Blues' reach.

He said: "They've been on top for decades now, but I think we are probably as close as ever. Maybe if you tweak the squad a little bit we could give it a massive push next season, and who knows. It could all change."

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old winger is hoping to continue his fine form at national team level against Switzerland at Wembley this weekend, and Johnson took time to praise Fabio Capello ahead of Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier.

He said: "It's good he lets the creative players express themselves. "He does not ask you to do one specific thing, he just wants you to be free and play your game and have confidence in yourself.

"I like that coming from your manager. Obviously you have got to have some sort of discipline. But when you are attacking he expects you to try things.

"He's always said that to me, he's never said you should do this or you should do that, but just that I should play my own game."